Jack Nicklaus, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers in the history of the sport, highlighted Bobby Jones as the greatest golfer ever, despite Tiger Woods‘ major championship record. Nicklaus’ career spanned decades, where he amassed an unmatched 18 major championships, surpassing Woods’ 15, while also setting new standards for excellence in golf.
A Legacy of Dominance in Golf’s Biggest Tournaments
Nicklaus won a total of 73 PGA Tour events during his career, with 18 major titles including six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens, and three Open Championships. Nicknamed the ‘Golden Bear’, he demonstrated remarkable consistency at the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. Beyond his victories, Nicklaus finished runner-up 19 times and achieved 56 top-five finishes in majors, showing sustained excellence over many years.
One of his most iconic moments came in 1986 when, at the age of 46, he won his final Masters by sinking a crucial 18-foot putt on the 17th hole. This moment drew the enthusiastic call, “Yes sir!” from CBS Sports commentator Verne Lundquist, cementing Nicklaus’ status as a legendary figure in golf.
Alongside Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, nicknamed “The Big Three,” Nicklaus helped popularize golf during the 1960s through their intense rivalry. Their battles in major championships elevated the sport’s profile and drew global attention to these marquee events.
Comparing Nicklaus’ Achievements with Other Legendary Golfers
Tiger Woods has come closest to challenging Nicklaus’ record, accumulating 15 major championship victories. Woods revolutionized golf with his combination of brutal driving distance and precise putting. From 1999 to 2010, he dominated the sport, winning 13 majors, but injuries and personal setbacks slowed his momentum in the following decade. This ongoing battle between Nicklaus and Woods fuels the debate about the greatest golfer of all time.
Woods was also one of only six players to complete the Career Grand Slam, winning all four major championships during his career. Most recently, Rory McIlroy joined this exclusive group by securing the Masters title earlier this year.
Gary Player, one of Nicklaus’ significant contemporaries and rivals, won nine majors from 1959 to 1978, tying with Ben Hogan, whose swing remains famous among golf enthusiasts. Other legendary players like Walter Hagen, Tom Watson, Gene Sarazen, Harry Vardon, Sam Snead, and Arnold Palmer have also placed their mark on golf history with multiple major titles.
Nicklaus once shared his choices for an all-star golf team in a 2000 Golf Digest interview, reflecting on players who excelled in particular skills. He said,
“For ball-striking, I would have Hogan and Trevino. My putters would be Palmer and Watson. Best driver, Arnold and Greg Norman. Best iron player, Hogan. Best bunker player, Player. Best chipper, Watson. Most imaginative, Seve Ballesteros. You notice how all those players were ones who won a lot of majors?” —Jack Nicklaus
Despite the increasing depth of competition and the rise of new talent such as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, Nicklaus’ 18 major wins remain a formidable benchmark in golf’s history.
Jack Nicklaus Honors Bobby Jones as the Greatest Golfer in History
Although many great players preceded and followed him, Jack Nicklaus named Bobby Jones as the ultimate greatest golfer in history. Jones, an amateur and professional golfer from the 1920s, captured seven professional major championships and six amateur titles between 1923 and 1930. His crowning achievement came in 1930 when he won the Grand Slam by claiming the US Open, The Open Championship, US Amateur, and British Amateur titles all in the same year.
Jones retired from competitive golf at the age of 28 but continued shaping the sport by co-founding Augusta National Golf Club in 1933. He played a pivotal role in launching what is now the Masters Tournament, originally called the Augusta National Invitational, renamed in 1939. Today, the Masters is one of the most prestigious events in golf globally.
Known as an all-around player, Jones combined natural talent with exceptional mental strength, enabling him to succeed on a range of courses and formats. St Andrews, widely considered the home of golf, was a favored venue for Jones. Although he withdrew from his first appearance there in 1921, he later won the British Amateur at St Andrews in 1930. In recognition of his contributions, Jones received the Freedom of the City of St Andrews in 1958, becoming the first American so honored since Benjamin Franklin in 1759—an honor that Jack Nicklaus himself would later receive in 2022.
Nicklaus praised Jones in 1960, explaining his admiration by stating,
“Jones is the greatest golfer who ever lived and probably ever will live. That’s my goal. Bobby Jones. It’s the only goal.” —Jack Nicklaus
Bobby Jones’ Major Championship Highlights
Bobby Jones’ record at major championships reflects his versatility and dominance in both amateur and professional play. His best major finishes include:
US Open: Winner in 1923, 1926, 1929, and 1930
The Open Championship: Winner in 1926, 1927, and 1930
US Amateur: Winner in 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, and 1930
British Amateur: Winner in 1930
Masters Tournament: Best finish was tied for 13th in 1934, prior to the event’s establishment
Enduring Influence on Golf and Its Champions
The legacy of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Bobby Jones continues to inspire current and future generations of golfers. Nicklaus’ recognition of Jones as the greatest golfer highlights the deep respect shared among golf’s legends and the rich history of the sport. The rivalry and achievements of these icons have elevated golfing standards, encouraged fierce competition, and made the journey to surpass the Tiger Woods major championship record a thrilling quest for many contenders today.